Participants of picket in memory of Heavenly Hundred tried behind closed door

The Tsentralny district court of Minsk hears administrative cases of participants of the picket to pay memory to the Ukrainian Heavenly Hundred.

They are charged with holding an unsanctioned mass event (article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences), Radio Svaboda reports.

About 15 people lit candles and laid flowers to Taras Shevchenko monument near the embassy of Ukraine on the evening of January 22. A big portrait of Belarusian Mikhail Zhyzneuski, who was killed in Ukraine, was unfurled. All picketers were detained by the police and taken to the Tsentralny district police department.

Four people – Nina Bahinskaya, Zmitser Zakharevich, Yury Vauchok and Valerya Charnamortsava – were released after midnight. Coordinator of European Belarus Maksim Viniarski, activists Volha Nikalaichyk, Aliaksandr Makayeu, Yauhen Batura and Mikalai Kolas remained behind bars.

The released activists asked representatives of the Ukrainian embassy to turn attention to the fact that Belarusian police officers insulted Ukraine and Ukrainians in the police bus.

Judge of the Tsentralny district court Viktorya Shabunia said she decided to hold an on-site trial in the Tsentralny district police department. About 30 people gathered outside the building. The police don’t allow them to enter.

The participants of the picket to pay tribute to the memory of the Heavenly Hundred are tried behind closed doors.